France
Champagne
shahm-PAH-nyuh
Reims and Épernay. The big houses are museums with a pour. Growers are the reason to hire a car.
Map
- When to go
- April–June and September. August is quiet at the houses. Harvest is not a tour season.
- Grapes
- Pinot Noir · Chardonnay · Meunier
Tasting rooms
Grandes marques in Reims and Épernay want a ticket. Growers in the villages want an appointment and a little French. Two caves and a long lunch is a day.
Taittinger
Reims
Booktay-tan-ZHEH
Roman crayères under the city. One of the houses that still feels like a cellar.
Book the tour. The caves are the visit.
Chardonnay · Pinot Noir · Comtes de Champagne if they're pouring it; otherwise Brut Réserve
Ruinart
Reims
Bookrwee-NAR
Blanc de blancs and chalk pits. Oldest house, still a looker.
Appointment. Often sells out.
Chardonnay · Blanc de Blancs
Mercier
Épernay
Bookmair-SYAY
Avenue de Champagne starter house. Fine, not the last word.
Easier to book. Pair with a walk of the avenue.
Pinot Noir · Meunier · Chardonnay · Brut — then walk the avenue
Jacques Selosse
Avize
Bookseh-LOSS
The grower people fly for. Almost impossible to visit. Drink it in Reims if the door is shut.
Don't plan the trip on a yes.
Chardonnay · Substance, or whatever they will sell you
Egly-Ouriet
Ambonnay
Bookeg-LEE oo-RYAY
Grower Pinot. Ambonnay, not the avenue.
Write. Small. If you get in, spit — these are not party bottles.
Pinot Noir · Tradition, then a village Ambonnay if they open it
Champagne Durdon-Bouval
Vincelles
BookChampagne Durdon-Bouval
In Vincelles, Sandie and Ludovic work with their children, Antoine and Sipriane. Fifth generation in the Vallée de la Marne. Organic since 2013. Demeter biodynamic since 2023.
Tastings and visits are by appointment. Write contact@champagne-durdonbouval.com, or call +33 6 17 33 71 41 (Sipriane) or +33 6 37 41 51 91 (Sandie).
Pinot Noir · Meunier · Chardonnay · Champagne Durdon-Bouval
Larmandier-Bernier
Vertus
BookLarmandier-Bernier
Biodynamic grower on the Côte des Blancs. Chardonnay, not a party house.
Appointment, weekday mornings.
Chardonnay · Larmandier-Bernier
Vilmart & Cie
Rilly-la-Montagne
BookVilmart & Cie
Montagne de Reims house, oak-fermented, family-run since 1890.
Write before you go. Small.
Chardonnay · Pinot Noir · Vilmart & Cie
Itinerary
Reims caves, then the Côte des Blancs
2 days
One house underground. One day among Chardonnay villages.
Day 1, morning
Taittinger or Ruinart
The crayères. Then lunch in Reims.
Day 1, afternoon
Cathedral and a wine bar
Grower bottles by the glass. No more tours.
Day 2
Avize / Cramant / Mesnil
One grower if they'll have you. Look at the chalk.
A tasting at a grande marque is not an education in grower Champagne. Read the label: NM vs RM.
Business inquiries
Have a room in Champagne?
Featured placement, your booking link, ninety days. Drinkers stay free.
Business inquiries